Jeep Grand Cherokee Alternator

Symptoms of a Bad Jeep Grand Cherokee Alternator

While your battery stores up the electricity your Jeep needs to start up and keep running, your alternator actually powers all the electrical parts of your Wrangler. You need to know how to diagnose any suspicious signs that you notice in relation to this component. Otherwise, it will be difficult, uncomfortable, or downright impossible to ride your Grand Cherokee.

Suspicious noises

You need to be aware of any suspicious noises that you hear while driving your Jeep because these are often the first signs of serious trouble. If you notice noises coming from your alternator, it could mean that you've got a bent pulley system, shortened diodes, or mechanical interference on your hands.

Dying electrical parts

A bad alternator will make its presence felt when your Jeep's electrical parts stop working. Your dashboard lights might dim, the radio might cut out, the heater or air conditioning might turn off, and ultimately, your engine might die. These are all signs of a faulty alternator. If you start experiencing this while you're miles away from any service station, then you'll need to turn off any electrical component that isn't necessary (such as the radio or the air conditioner) until you reach your destination.

Off-the-mark load test results

To test a Jeep Grand Cherokee alternator, you'll need to attach a voltmeter to your battery. First, you'll need to connect the positive and negative leads of the voltmeter with the corresponding battery posts. Then, take note of the battery's voltage reading on the voltmeter's display. If you see a reading other than what's within the range of 12.5 to 12.8 volts, then your battery is malfunctioning. If the reading falls within this healthy range, then have a friend start up your Jeep while you check the voltmeter. The numbers on its display will reflect the how much charge the alternator sends to the battery. If this reads anything other than what's within the range of 13.6 to 14.3 volts, then you have a faulty alternator.

Check gauge light comes on while electrical equipment still works

You might find it surprising that the check gauge sign lights up on your dashboard despite the fact that your air conditioning, lights, radio, and other electrical parts are functioning fine. You'll need to diagnose this with an alternator tester. The likely cause of this issue is a bad diode.

Crown Alternator

Jeep Grand Cherokee Alternator Available Years

How to Maintain Your Jeep Grand Cherokee Alternator 27 February 2013

Your Jeep Grand Cherokee alternator carries the heavy responsibility of generating electricity for all your automotive parts. It also charges up your battery while the engine is running. That's why you need to make sure that this important component is working at its best. Here are some of the things that you can do to ensure that your alternator is in peak condition:

Upgrade your alternator when you customize your electronics.

The stock alternator on your Jeep won't be able to handle the extra voltage requirements of an entertainment system with surround sound or a dozen headlights. You'll need to install high-output alternators so that you can get high performance from your regular components as well as the things that enhance your creature comforts.

Change your serpentine belt.

The serpentine belt inside your Jeep Grand Cherokee engine bay enables your alternator to work. You'll need to check it regularly for any fraying or cracks within its inward-facing ridges. If you see these signs of damage, replace the belt with a new one. You can do so by releasing the tensioner to remove the old belt from the accessory pulley and fan blade. Make sure that the replacement belt is of the same length and width as the old one before installing it.

Charge up your battery.

Your Jeep Grand Cherokee alternator is only meant to be used on a slightly discharged battery. Don't use it to try and charge up a dead or dying battery because the alternator might burn out. Charge up your battery at home using a battery-charging unit that's of medium to high quality. Just make sure that your battery is in good condition and that the area you're charging your Grand Cherokee battery in is well-ventilated to prevent any accidents.

Test your alternator regularly.

Your alternator cannot last the entire lifetime of your Jeep. Sooner or later, it will be unable to power up your vehicle's electrical parts. To prevent being stranded by a dead alternator, you need to test it on a regular basis. Use a voltmeter to gauge how much charge the alternator is giving to your battery.